Amoeba hollywood Staff
Brian Davis
Amoeba Hollywood
Mark B
Amoeba Hollywood
AMOEBA vet since 1997.
Jazz / Classical / New Age buyer and Head Used Buyer.
Improvisation is the law of nature.
Concierto (LP)
Jim Hall
50th Anniversary re-issue of this sublime album by a CTI-label dream team. The title track is arguably the most beautiful jazz track ever recorded; every player lending innovation and tender sensitivity simultaneously. Chet Baker is as great as he ever was here, Ron Carter delivering jaw-dropping invention, Roland Hanna showing why he should have been a household name, Steve Gadd giving everyone lots of room as he steers the forward drive, and of course the incredibly under-rated Jim Hall, the Bill Evans of the guitar. Easily in my Top 5 favorite Jazz albums of all time.
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Night Palace (LP)
Mount Eerie
I'm a long-time fan of Phil Elverum's work since The Microphones recordings of the brand new millennium, and have not once been let down by a release. Night Palace finds him ever-refining his singular headphone lo-fi vision, while folding in every flavor that he has tested in the past. His music always feels tentative, even when backed with sheer metal noise, as if he is afraid that the pure gold he's about to reveal will be too much for you to bear and he knows your safety is his responsibility. His lyrics are invariably simple while straining under the weight of the most common and painful conflicts between human beings, or between human beings and the natural world, as Nature is his most prevalent preoccupation. Alternating moments of scratching introspection, light pop strumming about Death and screaming cacophonies, Night Palace still feels of.a piece, which has always been Elverum's most perplexing talent. Don't bother coming to a conclusion, there's no getting to the bottom if it.
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Mighty Vertebrate (LP)
Anna Butterss
Probably best known in LA as the bassist in Jeff Parker's Enfield Tennis Academy IVTet, along with saxophonist Josh Johnson and drummer Jay Bellerose, they have also built an admirable resume in the rhythm sections for Aimee Mann, Boygenius, Andrew Bird, Jenny Lewis, and Phoebe Bridgers. Here Butterss embarks on their 2nd session as a leader for the International Anthem label, which is rapidly growing its catalog of important recordings. IVTet cohorts Jeff Parker and Josh Johnson appear with more assistance from guitarist Gregory Uhlmann (of recent SML project), and percussionist Ben Lumsdaine.Walking a fine line between Jazz and Instrumental Rock, Mighty Vertebrate is super listenable, playful, funky, dreamy, and every track has something interesting to say.
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New Dawn (LP)
Marshall Allen
Documented on records since 1949, Marshall Allen has released his first album as a leader, age 100. A Sun Ra Arkestra stalwart since the very early 60's, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Allen gives to the world a joyful, light-full, life-full collection that feels both too long in the waiting and perfectly timed. Neneh Cherry is on board for a lovely ballad and all is well.
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Formation (LP)
Shungo Sawada
Welcomed re-issue of this otherwise VERY expensive and VERY hard-to-find 1970 session from Japanese guitarist Sawada. I mean, wow, this is good! Jumping out of the gate with a super-solid version of Wayne Shorter's "Foot Print," with its Love Supreme bass line and excellent turn from saxophonist Hideyu Kikuchi, Sawada and pianist You Tokuyama. The artwork is crazy cool, as well. There's quite an unusual take on "Last Train To Clarksville" that starts with a slightly cheesy head, but once they start taking it apart, all the pieces shine. Trying to get more in stock, but get it where you can.
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Outer Spaceways Incorporated (LP)
Kronos Quartet and Friends
It's been a long time coming, but Sun Ra's legacy and influence is finally being recognized and given its proper due. Kronos Quartet traverses the stars along with Terry Riley, Laurie Anderson, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Laraaji, Secret Chiefs, SexMob, Jlin, RP Boo, 700 Bliss, Armand Hammer and more, along with samples from Sun Ra and the Arkestra. There are a couple of uneven spots, but I could listen to the 2nd track, the instrumentals "Maji" (Jlin) and "Daddy's Gonna Tell You No Lie" (Laraaji), all day long. A joyous, fun and worthy tribute to my favorite Saturnian.
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Monalisa
Amoeba Hollywood
i turn labels on turntables and am devoted to the art of moving butts
